Melissa Derechailo is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a DMA in horn performance. She also holds a degree in Horn Performance from Baylor University, and a B.M.E. from The College of New Jersey. Prior to beginning her doctoral work she taught public school in Asheville, North Carolina and was a horn lecturer at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. While teaching, she maintained an active playing schedule as a member of the Asheville Symphony and Greater Spartanburg Philharmonic. Upon graduation from UMKC she served as the conservatory’s Concert Manager for two years before moving to Wayne, Nebraska. She is currently the theater manager for Ramsey and Ley theaters, as well as a lecturer in music appreciation and horn at Wayne State College. Dr. Derechailo has most recently performed with the Sioux City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet, the Colorado Mahler Festival, and A Touch of Brass.